Cameron DePfyffer of Laguna Beach High tucks into the pocket during Tuesday's South Coast League match at T-Street Beach. FRED SWEGLES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The first landing on the T-Street Overpass is a perennial meeting place, as well as a pretty good spot from which to watch San Clemente High and Laguna Beach High do battle in the waves. FRED SWEGLES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Kirra Connolly shows heat-winning form for San Clemente High. FRED SWEGLES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The locals out on Seal Rock were biding their time, oblivious to the surf contest at T-Street. FRED SWEGLES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Welcome to the San Clemente surf spot "205," with the landmark Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens as a backdrop. A surf spot well known as "204" is a mile to the north, so named from its railroad mileage post. FRED SWEGLES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Looks like Rachael Tilly is about to plant both feet firmly on the nose. FRED SWEGLES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Dylan Cox of San Clemente High pulls off a prolonged hang 10 Tuesday vs. Laguna Beach High at T-Street. FRED SWEGLES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Trevor Thornton lands it cleanly for San Clemente. FRED SWEGLES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A backside section lines up nicely for San Clemente High's Malia Osterkamp. FRED SWEGLES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Emmy Lombard collects points for San Clemente. FRED SWEGLES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Tia Blanco slices in the pocket for San Clemente High. FRED SWEGLES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A constant stream of people passing by on the San Clemente Coastal Trail caught glimpses of Tuesday's surf match between Laguna Beach High and San Clemente High at T-Street Beach. FRED SWEGLES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Jonah Carter races the barrel Tuesday while racking up points for San Clemente High at T-Street Beach. FRED SWEGLES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

DEFENDING CHAMPS' SCHEDULE

Oct. 16: At Newport Harbor (56th St.)

Oct. 23: Dana Hills (T-Street)

Oct. 30: At Laguna Beach (Salt Creek)

Nov. 6: Newport Harbor (T-Street)

Nov. 13-14: League finals (Upper Trestles)

March 9-10: NSSA State (Huntington Pier)

April 20-21: SSS State (Oceanside)

June 15-17: NSSA Nationals (Salt Creek)

After hitting a bump in the road last week, San Clemente High's top-ranked surf team appears to be back on almost all cylinders.

The Tritons, winners of the last three years' National Scholastic Surfing Association titles, dominated Laguna Beach High, 119-48, Tuesday in a South Coast League match at San Clemente's T-Street Beach.

San Clemente placed 1-2-3 in seven of eight heats and went 1-2-4 in the other heat. It came after Dana Hills High upset San Clemente 89-77 a week earlier at the Dolphins' home beach, Salt Creek.

"Last week was a shocker," Triton coach John Dowell said. "The kids weren't happy about it. They came to work this morning. There are still some holes, some weaknesses that can be improved. Just because you're on the San Clemente surf team doesn't mean you're going to be automatically winning."

A week ago, Dana Hills pulled 1-2-3 sweeps in bodyboarding and women's longboarding. The team battled back in the remaining heats but came up short. This week, Triton bodyboarders Tommy Dolkas, Chris Dobson and Armando Perez turned the tables, sweeping Laguna 1-2-3. Longboarders Rachael Tilly, Emmy Lombard and Kyla Kelly went 1-2-4.

The Tritons aren't at full strength. Out of the lineup with injuries are Ethan Carlston and Dylan Sonderegger. Carlston was a key component in last year's NSSA title, one of two SCHS surfers to reach the men's final at Nationals. Thornton captured the men's title.

Despite the opening-day loss to Dana Hills, "it still looks promising," Dowell said. He said his top surfers are performing at an elite level. "We just have to stay healthy ... mentally and physically," the coach said.

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